[NEW] Curried Squash & Apple Bisque With Leek

1. In a heavy-bottomed 6-quart pot, sauté the leeks, celery, apple and 1/2 teaspoon salt in the olive oil over medium heat until softened, about 8 minutes.2. Add the curry powder, cinnamon, and bay leaf and stir until the spices become fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the squash, potato, and stock, stir and bring to the boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, covered, for 25-30 minutes, or until the potato crumbles when pressed with a fork.3. Remove from the heat, fish out the bay leaf and discard. Using an immersion blender or a regular blender (working in small batches), puree the soup until completely smooth.4. Strain the soup through a fine mesh strainer, taking care not to push the fibrous solids through the mesh. Return the soup to the stove and return it to a light simmer to reduce until the soup will lightly coat the back of a spoon.5. Remove from the heat and stir in the maple syrup, the optional evaporated skim milk, a dash of pepper, and the fresh orange juice. Taste for seasoning and adjust if necessary. A bit of crumbled bacon and chive sprinkled over the soup before service is a nice touch, and many—including Anthony Bourdain—choose to drizzle a little extra maple syrup as well.